Several years ago when we set sail across the Bay of Dismay we asked if we could store a miniscule amount of stuff in a small shed in the Pain's garden [ actually it was I who asked, the terrible Goddess is far too polite to impose].
They agreed, albeit rather grudgingly I thought. When I knew they were due to be away for a few days, I arranged for a 20'x10'x10' container to be delivered. Luckily I was there when it arrived because there was a bit of a problem concerning access, making it necessary for me to break into a shed and find a chainsaw [ the damage to the shed was minimal] and prune several trees quite severely: I still maintain they needed doing. Eventually the container was positioned in a discreet corner of their garden. Over the next few days, not begrudging them their relaxing time away, I worked hard, squeezing the entire contents of our house into the tin can.
Why I had rather a lot of telephone calls on their return, I'll never know. I had, after all, logged all the rather stout branches that had HAD to be removed, done running repairs to their drive and, quite frankly, I think the tin can was, and 18 years later, still is, a feature. I'm sure I never said it would only be there for a couple of years.
Anyway, as you know avid readers, we are moving again; I think the expression is downsizing.
I've spoken to the Pains again, after several years of inexplicable silence. They are coming over today with a horse box [which I think will be large enough] to pick up another load . I won't be able to help, a really bad back and attitude, but I think the exercise will do the Pains good. I can't see that they've got any reason to moan this time; there's plenty of room in the container, all of our three dogs which they had the privilege of looking after last time, including walking, feeding and paying the vets bills, have gone to the big kennel in the sky, as for the aquarium of piranhas, when we returned last time there was only the one left, looking rather porky, [which I thought was sheer negligence on someone's part ] and Tiggz and Penfold moved out of their spare room some time ago.
I'll make them a cup of coffee and try and jolly them along a bit when they arrive. They don't say much usually, just tut and look rather glum. Don't they like feeling useful? A bit of gratitude wouldn't hurt. Friends? huh!
